Method for transmitting message and electronic device thereof

ABSTRACT

A method and an apparatus for transmitting a message in an electronic device are provided. The method for transmitting a hidden message includes displaying one or more hiding frames in an input message display area of a display, and transmitting a message including information on the hiding frame.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Koreanpatent application filed on Apr. 2, 2013 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office and assigned Serial No. 10-2013-0036002, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a method for transmitting a messageand an electronic device thereof.

BACKGROUND

With the development of information, communication, and semiconductortechnologies, electronic devices are now able to function as multimediadevices, which provide a variety of multimedia services. For example,electronic devices are now able to provide various multimedia servicessuch as a message service, a broadcasting service, a wireless Internetservice, a camera service, a music playback service, etc.

As the message service has developed from a Short Message Service (SMS)for transmitting a message of a simple text into a Long Message Service(LMS) for transmitting a message of a long text or a Multimedia MessageService (MMS) for transmitting a message including a multimedia filesuch as an image, a moving image, etc., the message service is able toprovide various messenger services to users.

However, when the electronic device checks a received message, theelectronic device displays the entire text of the received message on adisplay. Therefore, important information which has been received andtransmitted using a message in the electronic device may be easilyexposed to the outside. Accordingly, there exists a need for an improvedapparatus and method for transmitting and receiving a message in anelectronic device.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determinationhas been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentdisclosure is to provide a method and apparatus for transmitting amessage in an electronic device.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method andapparatus for generating a message in which at least part of a text ishidden in an electronic device, and transmitting the message.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method andapparatus for generating a message in which at least part of a text ishidden using a touch pen in an electronic device, and transmitting themessage.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method andapparatus for checking a message in which at least part of a text ishidden in an electronic device.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method andapparatus for checking a message in which at least part of a text ishidden using a touch pen in an electronic device.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method andapparatus for checking a message in which at least part of a text ishidden through user authentication in an electronic device.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method andapparatus for limiting a number of times a message in which at leastpart of a text is hidden is checked in an electronic device.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a method fortransmitting a message in an electronic device is provided. The methodincludes displaying one or more hiding frames in an input messagedisplay area of a display, and transmitting a message includinginformation on the hiding frame.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a methodfor checking a message in an electronic device is provided. The methodincludes checking whether a message to be displayed on a displayincludes one or more hiding areas, and, when the message includes theone or more hiding areas, displaying on the display a message textexcept for a message text that is included in the one or more hidingareas.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, anelectronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display,and at least one processor, wherein the processor is configured tocontrol to display one or more hiding frames in an input message displayarea of the display, and to transmit a message including information onthe hiding frame.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, anelectronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display,and at least one processor, wherein, when a message to be displayed onthe display includes one or more hiding areas, the processor isconfigured to control to display on the display a message text exceptfor a message text that is included in the one or more hiding areas.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses various embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration of a processor according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for transmitting a hidden message in an electronicdevice according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for generating a hidden message in an electronicdevice according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are views illustrating screen configurationsfor generating a hidden message in an electronic device according to thefirst embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D are views illustrating screen configurationsfor generating a hidden message in an electronic device according to asecond embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for generating a hidden message in an electronicdevice according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are views illustrating screen configurations forgenerating a hidden message in an electronic device according to a thirdembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for checking hiding information of a hiddenmessage in an electronic device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for checking a hidden message in an electronicdevice according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for checking a hidden message in an electronicdevice according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for checking a hidden message in an electronicdevice according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for checking a hidden message in an electronicdevice according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, and 14F are views illustrating screenconfigurations for checking a hidden message in an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The same reference numerals are used to represent the same elementsthroughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of variousembodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the various embodiments describedherein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functionsand constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for thepurpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic,parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations orvariations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error,measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those ofskill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effectthe characteristic was intended to provide.

Hereinafter, a method and apparatus for transmitting a message in whichat least part of a text is hidden will be described according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, an electronic device according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure may be a device that can transmit a message, suchas a portable electronic device, a portable terminal, a mobile terminal,a mobile pad, a media player, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), adesktop computer, a laptop computer, a smart phone, a net-book computer,a television, a Mobile Internet Device (MID), an Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC),a tablet PC, a navigation device, a smart TV, a watch, a digital camera,an MP3 player, etc. In addition, the electronic device may be anyelectronic device that combines functions of two or more devices of theabove-mentioned devices.

A message in the following description may include one or more messagesof the messages transmitted through a Short Message Service (SMS), aLong Message Service (LMS), a Multimedia Message Service (MMS), and amessenger service.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are viewsillustrating screen configurations for generating a hidden message in anelectronic device according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D are views illustrating screenconfigurations for generating a hidden message in an electronic deviceaccording to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 8A,8B, and 8C are views illustrating screen configurations for generating ahidden message in an electronic device according to a third embodimentof the present disclosure. FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, and 14F areviews illustrating screen configurations for checking a hidden messagein an electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device 100 may include a memory 110,a processor 120, a communication system 130, an audio processor 140, aninput and output controller 150, a display 160, and an inputter 170. Thememory 110 recited herein may exist in plural number.

The memory 110 may include a program storage 111 to store a program forcontrolling an operation of the electronic device 100, and a datastorage 112 to store data which is generated while a program is beingperformed. The memory 110 may be a volatile memory (for example, aRandom Access Memory (RAM)) or a non-volatile memory (for example, aflash memory), or a combination thereof.

The data storage 112 may store hiding frame setting information. Thehiding frame setting information may include one or more pieces of shapeinformation of a hiding frame to be added to a message and sizeinformation of the hiding frame. The shape of the hiding frame mayinclude a polygon, a circle, an oval, a text balloon, a heart, etc. Thehiding frame may indicate information that visualizes an area where atleast part of a text is hidden in the message in the form of the hidingframe and displays the hiding frame.

The program storage 111 may include a Graphic User Interface (GUI)program 113, a message generation program 114, a message transmissionprogram 115, a message check program 116, and one or more applications117. A program included in the program storage 111 is a set ofinstructions and may be represented as an instruction set.

The GUI program 113 includes one or more software elements for providinga user interface using graphics through the display 160. The GUI program113 may control to display information on an application driven by theprocessor 120 on the display 160. For example, the GUI program 113 maycontrol to display a message generated through the message generationprogram 114 on the display 160 as shown in FIG. 5A. In this case, theGUI program 113 may control to display a touch input window forinputting a message using a touch pen on the display 160. When themessage generation program 114 generates a hidden message, the GUIprogram 113 may control the display 160 to display a hiding frame on oneor more hiding areas determined by the message generation program 114.For example, the GUI program 113 may control to display one or morehiding frames on the message displayed on the display 160 as shown inFIGS. 5A to 5D and FIGS. 6A to 6D. The GUI program 113 may control todisplay one or more hiding frames on a message display area fordisplaying a message as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C. In this case, the GUIprogram 113 may control to display a hiding frame of a shape and sizeaccording to the hiding frame setting information stored in the datastorage 112 on the display 160 or to display a hiding frame of a shapeand size according to touch information for setting the hiding area onthe display 160.

For another example, the GUI program 113 may control to display themessage checked by the message check program 116 on the display 160.When the message check program 116 checks hiding area information on themessage, the GUI program 113 may control to display the message on thedisplay 160 without displaying a text of the hiding area in the receivedmessage as shown in FIG. 14A. When a hiding area checking event occurs,the GUI program 113 may control to display a hiding frame 1431 on thedisplay 160 as shown in FIG. 14B. When the message check program 116checks an input corresponding to a hiding check option of the hidingframe, the GUI program 113 may control to display the message texthidden by the hiding frame on the display 160 as shown in FIGS. 14C and14F.

The message generation program 114 includes one or more softwareelements for generating the message. For example, the message generationprogram 114 may create the message according to touch information of akeypad or input information by a touch pen, which is provided from theinputter 170.

When a hidden message is generated, the message generation program 114may determine one or more hiding areas for hiding at least part of atext in the message. In this case, the message generation program 114may determine the one or more hiding areas at one or more points of timeof before, during, and after the message is created. For example, when atouch on the message display area by a touch pen or user's finger issensed, the message generation program 114 may recognize that a settingevent for hiding occurs. Accordingly, the message generation program 114may set the one or more areas of the message display area where thetouch is sensed, as the hiding area. For another example, the messagegeneration program 114 may set one or more hiding areas by consideringtouch information on the message display area, after the setting eventfor hiding occurs. In this case, the message generation program 114 maydetermine whether the setting event for hiding occurs by considering oneof selection of a hiding setting icon, selection of a hiding settingmenu, and sensing of a gesture mapped onto the setting event for hiding.The hiding area recited herein indicates an area for displaying thehiding frame for hiding at least part of the text of the message.

The message generation program 114 may set the hiding check option onthe hiding area. For example, the message generation program 114 may setan option to check hiding information simply by a scratch operation of atouch pen on the hiding frame. For another example, the messagegeneration program 114 may set an authentication key for the hidingframe. For another example, the message generation program 114 may limitthe number of times the hiding frame can be checked. For anotherexample, the message generation program 114 may set as the hiding checkoption two or more methods of the scratch operation using the touch pen,the authentication key setting method, and the method of setting thenumber of times the hiding frame can be checked. The scratch operationof the touch pen may indicate a series of operations of scratching thehiding frame with the touch pen.

When a plurality of pieces of hiding information are included in asingle message, the message generation program 114 may set the samehiding check option for the plurality of pieces of hiding information ormay set a different hiding check option for each piece of hidinginformation.

The message transmission program 115 includes one or more softwareelements for transmitting the message generated by the messagegeneration program 114 to a counterpart electronic device. For example,the message transmission program 115 may control to transmit the hiddenmessage generated by the message generation program 114 to thecounterpart electronic device through the communication system 130. Inthis case, the message transmission program 115 may control todiscriminate between the message generated by the message generationprogram 114 and the hiding area information on the message, and totransmit the message to the counterpart electronic device. The hidingarea information may include one or more pieces of information oflocation, size, and shape information of the hiding frame included inthe message.

The message check program 116 includes one or more software elements forchecking a message received from the counterpart electronic device. Forexample, the message check program 116 may check the text of the messagereceived through the communication system 130. When the message includeshiding area information on the message, the message check program 116may control not to display the part of the text that is hidden in themessage. Thereafter, when the hiding area checking event occurs, themessage check program 116 may control to display the hiding frame inwhich the part of the text of the message is hidden. In addition, whenan input corresponding to the hiding check option of the hiding frame isreceived from the inputter 170, the message check program 116 maycontrol to remove display of the hiding frame.

The application 117 includes a software element for at least oneapplication installed in the electronic device 100.

The processor 120 controls the electronic device 100 to provide variousmultimedia services using at least one software program. In this case,the processor 120 executes at least one program stored in the memory 110and provides a service corresponding to the corresponding program.

The communication system 130 may perform a communication function oftransmitting and receiving the message to and from the counterpartelectronic device. In this case, the communication system 130 may bedivided into a plurality of communication sub-modules which supportdifferent communication networks. For example, although not limitedthereto, the communication network includes a Global System for Mobilecommunications (GSM) network, an Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution(EDGE) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, aWideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) network, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, anOrthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing Access (OFDMA) network, awireless Local Area Network (LAN), a Bluetooth network, Near FieldCommunication (NFC), etc.

The audio processor 140 provides an audio interface between the user andthe electronic device 100 through a speaker 141 and a microphone 142.

The input and output controller 150 provides an interface between aninput and output device, like the display 160, and the inputter 170 andthe processor 120.

The display 160 displays state information of the electronic device 100,a text input by the user, a moving image or still image, etc. Forexample, the display 160 may display the message generated through themessage generation program 114 as shown in FIG. 5A. In this case, thedisplay 160 may display the hiding frame on one or more hiding areasdetermined by the message generation program 114. For example, thedisplay 160 may display one or more hiding frames on the area where themessage is displayed as shown in FIGS. 5B to 5D and FIGS. 6A to 6D. Inthis case, the display 160 may display the hiding frame by superimposinganother separate layer where the hiding frame is displayed on an upperend of a layer where the message is displayed. Accordingly, the display160 can hide a message text of a location where the hiding frame isdisplayed. Meanwhile, the display 160 may display one or more hidingframes on the message display area as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C. In thiscase, the display 160 may display the hiding frame by superimposinganother separate layer where the hiding frame is displayed on an upperend of a layer for displaying the message. Accordingly, the display 160can hide the text of the message of a location where the hiding frame isdisplayed.

For another example, the display 160 may display the message checked bythe message check program 116. When the message check program 116 checksa hidden message, the display 160 may display the received messagewithout displaying the hiding area as shown in FIG. 14A. When the hidingarea checking event occurs, the display 160 may display a hiding frame1431 on the hiding area of the message as shown in FIG. 14B. When themessage check program 116 checks an input on the hiding check option ofthe hiding frame, the display 160 may display the message text hidden bythe hiding frame as shown in FIGS. 14C and 14F.

The inputter 170 provides input data generated by user's selection tothe processor 120 through the input and output controller 150. In thiscase, the inputter 170 includes a keypad including at least one hardwarebutton, a touch pad for sensing a touch, etc. For example, the inputter170 provides touch information sensed through the touch pad to theprocessor 120 through the input and output controller 150.

FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration of a processor according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the processor 120 includes a message generator 200,a message transmitter 210, a message checker 220, and a displaycontroller 230.

The message generator 200 may generate a message by executing themessage generation program 114 stored in the program storage 111. Forexample, the message generator 200 may create the message according totouch information of a keypad or input information by a touch pen, whichis provided from the inputter 170.

When a hidden message is generated, the message generator 200 maydetermine one or more hiding areas for hiding at least part of a text inthe message. In this case, the message generator 200 may determine theone or more hiding areas at one or more points of time of before,during, and after the message is generated. For example, when a touch onthe message display area by the touch pen or user's finger is sensed,the message generator 200 may recognize that a setting event for hidingoccurs. Accordingly, the message generator 200 may set the one or moreareas of the message display area where the touch is sensed, as thehiding area. For another example, the message generator 200 may set theone or more hiding areas by considering touch information on the messagedisplay area after the setting event for hiding occurs. In this case,the message generator 200 may check whether the setting event for hidingoccurs by considering one of selection of a hiding setting icon,selection of a hiding setting menu, sensing of a gesture mapped onto thesetting event for hiding, etc. The hiding area indicates an area fordisplaying the hiding frame for hiding at least part of the text of themessage.

The message generator 200 may set a hiding check option on the hidingarea. For example, the message generator 200 may set an option to checkhiding information simply by a scratch operation of the touch pen on thehiding frame. For another example, the message generator 200 may set anauthentication key for the hiding frame. For another example, themessage generator 200 may limit the number of times the hiding frame canbe checked. For another example, the message generator 200 may set asthe hiding check option two or more methods of the scratch operationusing the touch pen, the authentication key setting method, and themethod of setting the number of times the hiding frame can be checked.The scratch operation of the touch pen may indicate a series ofoperations of scratching the hiding frame with the touch pen.

When a plurality of pieces of hiding information are included in asingle message, the message generator 200 may set the same hiding checkoption for the plurality of pieces of hiding information or may set adifferent hiding check option for each piece of hiding information.

The message transmitter 210 may control to transmit the messagegenerated by the message generator 200 to the counterpart electronicdevice by executing the message transmission program 115 stored in theprogram storage 111. For example, the message transmitter 210 maycontrol to transmit the hidden message generated by the messagegenerator 200 to the counterpart electronic device through thecommunication system 130. In this case, the message transmitter 210 maycontrol to discriminate between the message generated by the messagegenerator 200 and hiding area information on the message and to transmitthe message to the counterpart electronic device. The hiding areainformation may include one or more of a location of the hiding areaincluded in the message, and size and shape information of the hidingframe.

The message checker 220 may check the message received from thecounterpart electronic device by executing the message check program 116stored in the program storage 111. For example, the message checker 220may check the text of the message received through the communication130. When the message includes the hiding area information on themessage, the message checker 220 may control not to display the part ofthe text hidden in the message. Thereafter, when a hiding area checkingevent occurs, the message checker 220 may control to display the hidingframe in which the part of the text of the message is hidden. Inaddition, when an input corresponding to the hiding check option of thehiding frame is received from the inputter 170, the message checker 220may control to remove display of the hiding frame.

The display controller 230 may provide a user interface using graphicsthrough the display 160 by executing the GUI program 113 stored in theprogram storage 111. That is, the display controller 230 may control todisplay information on an application driven by the processor 120 on thedisplay 160.

For example, the display controller 230 may control to display themessage generated by the message generator 200 on the display 160 asshown in FIG. 5A. In this case, the display controller 230 may controlthe display 160 to display the hiding frame on the one or more hidingareas determined by the message generator 200. For example, the displaycontroller 230 may control to display the one or more hiding frames onthe message displayed on the display 160 as shown in FIGS. 5B to 5D andFIGS. 6A to 6D. Meanwhile, the display controller 230 may control todisplay the one or more hiding frames on a message display area fordisplaying the message as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C. In this case, thedisplay controller 230 may control to display a hiding frame of a shapeand size according to hiding frame setting information stored in thedata storage 112 on the display 160 or to display a hiding frame of ashape and size according to touch information for setting the hidingarea on the display 160.

For another example, the display controller 230 may control to displaythe message checked by the message checker 220 on the display 160. Whenthe message checker 220 checks the hiding area information on themessage, the display controller 230 may control to display the receivedmessage on the display 160 without displaying the text of the hidingarea in the message as shown in FIG. 14A. When the hiding area checkingevent occurs, the display controller 230 may control to display thehiding frame 1431 on the display 160 as shown in FIG. 14B. When themessage checker 220 checks an input corresponding to the hiding checkoption of the hiding frame, the display controller 230 may control todisplay the message texts hidden by the hiding frame on the display 160as shown in FIGS. 14C and 14F.

In the above-described embodiment, the processor 120 may be configuredto include elements for generating and checking the hidden message asseparate modules as shown in FIG. 2.

According to another embodiment, the processor 120 may be configured togenerate and check a hidden message in a single module.

According to another embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include aseparate control module for generating and checking a hidden message.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for transmitting a hidden message in an electronicdevice according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic device generates a message inoperation 301. For example, the electronic device may create the messageaccording to touch information of a keypad or input information by atouch pen, which is provided from the inputter 170. In this case, theelectronic device may display the created message on the display 150 asshown in FIG. 5A.

In operation 303, the electronic device generates a hidden message byadding a hiding frame to at least part of a text of the message. In thiscase, the electronic device may add one or more hiding frames to amessage display area at one or more points of time of before, during,and after the message is created. For example, when a touch on themessage display area by a touch pen or user's finger is sensed, theelectronic device may recognize that a setting event for hiding occurs.Accordingly, the electronic device may set one or more areas of themessage display area where the touch is sensed as a hiding area and mayadd the hiding frame. For another example, after the setting event forhiding occurs, the electronic device may set the one or more hidingareas by considering touch information on the message display area andmay add the hiding frame. In this case, the electronic device may checkwhether the setting event for hiding occurs by considering one ofselection of a hiding setting icon, selection of a hiding setting menu,sensing of a gesture mapped onto the setting event for hiding, etc. Thehiding area indicates an area for displaying the hiding frame for hidingat least part of the text of the message.

In operation 305, the electronic device transmits the hidden message toa counterpart electronic device. For example, the electronic device maytransmit the hidden message including the one or more hiding frames tothe counterpart electronic device. For another example, the electronicdevice may transmit the message and the hiding area information on themessage to the counterpart electronic device. The hiding areainformation may include one or more pieces of information of location,size, and shape information of the hiding frame included in the message.

In the above-described embodiment, the electronic device may generatethe hidden message by adding the one or more hiding frames to themessage display area while or after the message is created.

According to another embodiment, the electronic device may generate thehidden message by adding one or more hiding frames to the messagedisplay area in advance before the message is created. For example, theelectronic device may display one or more hiding frames on the messagedisplay area in operation 303. Thereafter, the electronic device maygenerate the hidden message by displaying the message according to touchinformation of the keypad or input information by the touch pen, whichis provided from the inputter 170, on the message display area where thehiding frame is displayed in operation 301. After generating the hiddenmessage, the electronic device may transmit the hidden message to thecounterpart electronic device in operation 305.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for generating a hidden message in an electronicdevice according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, the electronic device creates a message inoperation 401. For example, when creating the message, the electronicdevice may display a message creation screen 500 on the display 160 asshown in FIG. 5A. Thereafter, the electronic device may display themessage which is created according to touch information of a keypad orinput information by a touch pen, which is provided from the inputter170, on a message display area 510. In addition, the message creationscreen 500 may further include one or more pieces of additionalinformation for the message service from among information 502 on acounterpart electronic device to which the message is to be transmitted,an icon 504 of an address book used for adding counterpart electronicdevice information, and control menus 522, 524, and 526 for creating,editing, and transmitting the message.

In operation 403, the electronic device checks whether a hidden messagecreating event occurs. For example, the electronic device may checkwhether a touch on the message display area 510 shown in FIG. 5A issensed. For another example, the electronic device may check whetherselection of a hiding setting icon is sensed. For another example, theelectronic device may check whether the hiding setting menu 524 shown inFIG. 5A is selected. For another example, the electronic device maycheck whether a gesture matching the hidden message creating event issensed.

When the hidden message creating event does not occur, the electronicdevice finishes the present algorithm by returning to operation 401. Inthis case, the electronic device may transmit the message generated inoperation 401 to the counterpart electronic device.

On the other hand, when the hidden message creating event occurs, theelectronic device proceeds to operation 405 to add one or more hidingframes to the message display area. In this case, the electronic devicemay add a hiding frame of a shape and size according to hiding framesetting information stored in the data storage 112 or may add a hidingframe of a shape and size according to touch information for setting ahiding area. For example, when it is determined that the hidden messagecreating event occurs by considering touch movement information of arectangular shape on the message display area 510, the electronic devicemay add a hiding frame 531 of a rectangular shape to the area where thetouch is sensed according to the touch information as shown in FIG. 5B.For another example, when the touch movement of the rectangular shape onthe message display area 510 is sensed after the hidden message creatingevent occurs, the electronic device may add the hiding frame 531 of therectangular shape to the area where the touch is sensed according to thetouch information as shown in FIG. 5B. For another example, when a touchon the message display area 510 is sensed after the hidden messagecreating event occurs, the electronic device may add the hiding frame531 of the rectangular shape to the touch point according to the shapeand size according to the hiding frame setting information stored in thedata storage 112.

In addition, the electronic device may change the location and size ofthe hiding frame 531 according to input information provided form theinputter 170. For example, when touch movement (601→603) on the hidingframe 531 is sensed as shown in FIG. 6A, the electronic device maychange the location of the hiding frame 531 to a location 611 accordingto touch movement information as shown in FIG. 6B. For another example,the electronic device may adjust the size of the hiding frame 531according to touch movement information on a border of the hiding frame531.

After adding the hiding frame, the electronic device proceeds tooperation 407 to set a hiding check option to check at least part of atext of the message hidden by the hiding frame. For example, theelectronic device may set an option to check hiding information simplyby a scratch operation of a touch pen on the hiding frame. For anotherexample, the electronic device may set an authentication key for thehiding information. For another example, the electronic device may limitthe number of times the hiding information can be checked. For anotherexample, the electronic device may set as the hiding check option two ormore methods of the scratch operation using the touch pen, theauthentication key setting method, and the method of setting the numberof times the hiding information can be checked. The scratch operation bythe touch pen may indicate a series of operations of scratching thehiding frame with the touch pen.

In operation 409, the electronic device checks whether a hiding frameaddition setting event occurs. For example, the electronic device maycheck whether a touch on the message display area 510 is sensed. Foranother example, the electronic device may check whether selection ofthe hiding setting icon is sensed. For another example, the electronicdevice may check whether the hiding area addition menu 526 shown in FIG.5A is selected. For another example, the electronic device may checkwhether a gesture matching the hidden message creating event is sensed.

When the hiding frame addition setting event occurs, the electronicdevice resumes operation 405 to add one or more hiding frames to themessage display area. In this case, the electronic device may add ahiding frame of a shape and size according to hiding frame settinginformation stored in the data storage 112, or may add a hiding frame ofa shape and size according to touch information for setting a hidingarea. For example, when it is determined that the hiding frame additionsetting event occurs by considering touch movement information of arectangular shape on the message display area, the electronic device mayadd a hiding frame 623 of a rectangular shape to the area where thetouch is sensed according to touch information as shown in FIG. 6C. Foranother example, when touch movement of a rectangular shape on themessage display area is sensed after the hiding frame addition settingevent occurs, the electronic device may add the hiding frame 623 of therectangular shape to the area where the touch is sensed according totouch information as shown in FIG. 6C. For another example, when a touchon the message display area is sensed after the hiding frame additionsetting event occurs, the electronic device may add the hiding frame 623of the rectangular shape to the touch point according to the shape andsize according to the hiding frame setting information stored in thedata storage 112.

On the other hand, when the hiding frame addition setting event does notoccur, the electronic device proceeds to operation 411 to check whethera message transmitting event occurs. For example, the electronic devicemay check whether selection of the transmission menu 522 shown in FIG.5A is sensed.

When the message transmitting event does not occur, the electronicdevice resumes operation 409 to check whether the hiding frame additionsetting event occurs. For another example, when the message transmittingevent does not occur, the electronic device may modify the message oradd a message.

On the other hand, when the message transmitting event occurs, theelectronic device proceeds to operation 413 to transmit the hiddenmessage to the counterpart electronic device. For example, theelectronic device may transmit the hidden message including the one ormore hiding frames to the counterpart electronic device. For anotherexample, the electronic device may transmit the message and hiding areainformation on the message to the counterpart electronic device. In thiscase, the electronic device may display hiding check option information551 on the display again as shown in FIG. 5D and may check whether totransmit the message. The hiding area information may include one ormore pieces of information of location, size, and shape information ofthe hiding frame included in the message.

In the above-described embodiment, the electronic device may set thehiding check option on the hiding frame every time that the hiding frameis added. Accordingly, the electronic device may set a different hidingcheck option on each of the hiding frames included in the message.

According to another embodiment, the electronic device may add one ormore hiding frames to the message and then may set a hiding check optionto be commonly applied to the one or more hiding frames added to themessage. For example, when the message transmitting event occurs, theelectronic device may display an input window for setting the hidingcheck option and may set the hiding check option to be commonly appliedto the one or more hiding frames added to the message.

According to another embodiment, the electronic device may apply apre-set hiding check option to the one or more hiding frames added tothe message. In this case, the electronic device may omit the processfor setting the hiding check option in operation 407 while generatingthe hidden message.

As described above, the electronic device may generate the hiddenmessage by adding the one or more hiding frames to the message displayarea. In this case, the electronic device may indicate whether thehiding frame setting operation is completed or whether the messagecreating operation is completed by adjusting transparency of the one ormore hiding frames displayed on the message display area. For example,when the electronic device adds the hiding frame 531 to the messagedisplay area in operation 405 of FIG. 4 as shown in FIG. 5B, theelectronic device may adjust the transparency of the hiding frame 531 toallow the user to check the part of the text hidden by the hiding frame531, until the hiding check option on the hiding frame 531 is set. Whenthe hiding check option on the hiding frame 531 is set in operation 407of FIG. 4, the electronic device may adjust the transparency of thehiding frame 541 to have the part of the text of the message hidden bythe hiding frame 541 as shown in FIG. 5C. For another example, when theelectronic device adds the hiding frame 623 to the message display areain operation 405 of FIG. 4 as shown in FIG. 6C, the electronic devicemay adjust transparency of the hiding frame 623 to allow the user tocheck the part of the text hidden by the hiding frame 623, until thehiding check option on the hiding frame 623 is set. In this case, theelectronic device may adjust transparency of a first hiding frame 621 onwhich a hiding check option is set to have the text of the messagehidden by the first hiding frame 621. When the hiding check option onthe hiding frame 623 is set in operation 407 of FIG. 4, the electronicdevice may adjust the transparency of the hiding frame 631 to have thepart of the text of the message hidden by the hiding frame 631 as shownin FIG. 6D.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for generating a hidden message in an electronicdevice according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, the electronic device checks whether to create ahidden message in operation 701. For example, the electronic device maycheck whether a hidden message creation program is executed according toinput information provided from the inputter 170. For another example,the electronic device may check whether a hidden message creating eventoccurs. In this case, the electronic device may check whether the hiddenmessage creating event occurs by considering one of selection of ahidden message creating icon, selection of a hidden message creatingmenu, sensing of a gesture mapped onto the hidden message creatingevent, and the like. For another example, when creating a message, theelectronic device may display a message creation screen 800 on thedisplay 160. When touch movement on a message display area 810 of themessage creation screen 800 is sensed, the electronic device mayrecognize that the hidden message creating event occurs. In addition,the message creation screen 800 may further include one or more piecesof additional information for the message service from among information802 on a counterpart electronic device to which the message is to betransmitted, an icon 804 of an address book used for adding counterpartelectronic device information, and control menus 814, 816, and 818 forcreating, editing, and transmitting the message.

When the hidden message is created, the electronic device adds one ormore hiding frames to the message display area in operation 703. In thiscase, the electronic device may add a hiding frame of a shape and sizeaccording to hiding frame setting information stored in the data storage112 or may add a hiding frame of a shape and size according to touchinformation for setting a hiding area. For example, when it isdetermined that the hidden message creating event occurs by consideringtouch movement information of a rectangular shape on the message displayarea 810, the electronic device may add a hiding frame 812 of arectangular shape to the area where the touch is sensed according totouch information as shown in FIG. 8A. For another example, when thetouch movement of the rectangular shape on the message display area 810is sensed after the hidden message creating event occurs, the electronicdevice may add the hiding frame 812 of the rectangular shape to the areawhere the touch is sensed according to the touch information as shown inFIG. 8A. For another example, when a touch on the message display area810 is sensed after the hidden message creating event occurs, theelectronic device may add the hiding frame 812 of the rectangular shapeto the touch point according to the shape and size according to thehiding frame setting information stored in the data storage 112 as shownin FIG. 8A.

In addition, the electronic device may change the location and size ofthe hiding frame 812 according to input information provided from theinputter 170. For example, when touch movement (821→823) on the hidingframe 812 is sensed as shown in FIG. 8B, the electronic device maychange the location of the hiding frame 812 to a location 831 accordingto the touch movement information as shown in FIG. 8C. For anotherexample, the electronic device may adjust the size of the hiding frame812 according to touch movement information on a border of the hidingframe 812.

In operation 705, the electronic device sets a hiding check option tocheck at least part of a text of the message hidden by the hiding frame.For example, the electronic device may set an option to check hidinginformation simply by a scratch operation of a touch pen on the hidingframe. For another example, the electronic device may set anauthentication key for the hiding information. For another example, theelectronic device may limit the number of times the hiding informationcan be checked. For another example, the electronic device may set asthe hiding check option two or more methods of the scratch operationusing the touch pen, the authentication key setting method, and themethod of setting the number of times the hiding information can bechecked. The scratch operation by the touch pen may indicate a series ofoperations of scratching the hiding frame with the touch pen.

In operation 707, the electronic device creates a message. For example,the electronic device may create the message according to touchinformation of a keypad or input information by a touch pen, which isprovided from the inputter 170. In this case, the electronic device maydisplay the created message on the message display area 810 to which thehiding frame has been added as shown in FIG. 8A.

In operation 709, the electronic device checks whether a messagetransmitting event occurs. For example, the electronic device may checkwhether selection of the transmission menu 814 shown in FIG. 8A issensed.

When the message transmitting event does not occur, the electronicdevice proceeds to operation 713 to check whether a hiding frameaddition setting event occurs. For example, the electronic device maycheck whether a touch on the message display area 810 is sensed. Foranother example, the electronic device may check whether selection of ahiding setting icon is sensed. For another example, the electronicdevice may check whether the hiding area addition menu 818 shown in FIG.8A is selected. For another example, the electronic device may checkwhether a gesture matching the hidden message creating event is sensed.

When the hiding area addition setting event occurs, the electronicdevice resumes operation 703 to add one or more hiding frames to themessage display area. In this case, the electronic device may add ahiding frame of a shape and size according to hiding frame settinginformation stored in the data storage 112 or may add a hiding frame ofa shape and size according to touch information for setting a hidingarea. For example, when it is determined that the hiding frame additionsetting event occurs by considering touch movement information of arectangular shape on the message display area, the electronic device mayadd the hiding frame 623 of the rectangular shape to the area where thetouch is sensed according to touch information as shown in FIG. 6C. Foranother example, when touch movement of a rectangular shape on themessage display area is sensed after the hiding frame addition settingevent occurs, the electronic device may add the hiding frame 623 of therectangular shape to the area where the touch is sensed according totouch information as shown in FIG. 6C. For another example, when a touchon the message display area is sensed after the hiding frame additionsetting event occurs, the electronic device may add the hiding frame 623of the rectangular shape to the touch point according to the shape andsize according to the hiding frame setting information stored in thedata storage 112 as shown in FIG. 6C.

On the other hand, when the hiding area addition setting event does notoccur, the electronic device resumes operation 707 to correct and addthe message.

When the message transmitting event occurs in operation 709, theelectronic device transmits the hidden message to the counterpartelectronic device in operation 711. For example, the electronic devicemay transmit the hidden message including the one or more hiding framesto the counterpart electronic device. For another example, theelectronic device may transmit the message and the hiding areainformation on the message to the counterpart electronic device. In thiscase, the electronic device may display the hiding check optioninformation 551 on the display 160 again as shown in FIG. 5D and maycheck whether to transmit the message again. The hiding area informationmay include one or more pieces of information of location, size, andshape information of the hiding frame included in the message.

As described above, the electronic device may generate the hiddenmessage by adding the one or more hiding frames to the message displayarea. In this case, the electronic device may indicate whether thehiding frame setting operation is completed or whether the messagecreating operation is completed by adjusting transparency of the one ormore hiding frames displayed on the message display area. For example,when creating the message, the electronic device may adjust thetransparency of the hiding frame to display the message text of the areawhere the hiding frame is displayed and thus allow the user to check thetext of the message created in the hiding frame area, until the messagetransmitting event occurs.

Hereinafter, a method for checking a hidden message will be explained.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for checking hiding information in a hiddenmessage in an electronic device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9, the electronic device displays a hidden message onthe display 160 in operation 901. For example, when the hidden messageis checked, the electronic device may display a text of the hiddenmessage on a message display area 1412 of a message check screen 1400 asshown in FIG. 14A. In this case, the electronic device may not display amessage text of a hiding area that is hidden in the hidden message by ahiding frame on the display 160 as shown in FIG. 14A. In addition, whenthe hidden message includes the hiding area, the electronic device maydisplay a hiding icon (not shown) on a predetermined area of the messagecheck screen 1400. In addition, the message check screen 1400 mayfurther include one or more pieces of additional information for amessage service from among information 1402 on a counterpart electronicdevice which has transmitted the message and control menus 1422 and 1424for checking and forwarding the message.

In operation 903, the electronic device displays one or more hidingframes in the hidden message. For example, when a hiding area checkingevent occurs, the electronic device checks the location, shape, and sizeof the hiding frame included in the hidden message based on hiding areainformation of the hidden message. Thereafter, the electronic device maydisplay one or more hiding frames 1431 on the message display area 1412by considering the location, shape, and size of the hiding frameincluded in the hidden message as shown in FIG. 14B. In this case, theelectronic device may check whether the hiding area checking eventoccurs by considering one of selection of the hiding icon 1414,selection of a hiding area display menu, and sensing of a gesture mappedonto the hiding area checking event.

In operation 905, the electronic device receives input informationcorresponding to a hiding check option of the hiding frame from theinputter 170 and displays the message text hidden by the hiding frame.For example, when a scratch 1441 on the hiding frame 1431 by a touch penor user's finger is sensed as shown in FIG. 14C, the electronic devicemay display a part of the message text hidden by the hiding frame on thedisplay 160 by removing the hiding frame of the scratched area as shownin FIG. 14C. When the size of the hiding frame becomes smaller than areference size due to the scratch on the hiding frame, the electronicdevice may display the entire message text hidden by the hiding frame onthe display 160 as shown in FIG. 14F. For another example, when anauthentication key is set for the hiding frame, the electronic devicemay display an authentication key input window 1451 on the display 160as shown in FIG. 14D. When the corresponding hiding frame isauthenticated by an authentication key input through the authenticationkey input window 1451, the electronic device may remove the hiding frameor may remove the hiding frame by the scratch operation on the hidingframe. When the corresponding hiding frame fails to be authenticated bythe authentication key input through the authentication key input window1451, the electronic device may display an authentication failuremessage on the display 160. For another example, in the case that thenumber of times the hiding frame can be checked is set, when a touch onthe hiding frame is sensed, the electronic device may check whether itis possible to remove the hiding frame by considering the number oftimes the hiding frame has been checked. When the number of times thehiding frame has been checked exceeds the set number of times the hidingframe can be checked and thus it is not possible to remove the hidingframe, the electronic device may display a message 1461 indicating thatthe hiding area cannot be checked on the display 160 as shown in FIG.14E. On the other hand, when it is not possible to check the hidingframe, the electronic device may remove the hiding frame by the scratchoperation on the hiding frame.

As described above, the electronic device may receive input informationcorresponding to the hiding check option of the hiding frame from theinputter 170 and may display the message text hidden by the hidingframe. When a plurality of hiding frames exist in the hidden message,the electronic device may remove a corresponding hiding frame byconsidering input information on each of the hiding frames.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for checking a hidden message in an electronicdevice according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, the electronic device displays a hidden message onthe display 160 in operation 1001. For example, when the electronicdevice receives the hidden message from a counterpart electronic device,the electronic device may display a text of the hidden message on themessage display area 1412 of the message check screen 1400 as shown inFIG. 14A. For another example, when the hidden message is checkedaccording to an input signal provided from the inputter 170, theelectronic device may display the text of the hidden message on themessage display area 1412 of the message check screen 1400 as shown inFIG. 14A. In this case, the electronic device may not display a messagetext of a hiding area that is hidden in the hidden message by a hidingframe on the display 160 as shown in FIG. 14A. In addition, when thehidden message includes the hiding area, the electronic device maydisplay the hiding icon 1414 on a predetermined area of the messagecheck screen 1400.

In operation 1003, the electronic device checks whether a hiding areachecking event occurs. For example, the electronic device may checkwhether the hiding icon 1414 shown in FIG. 14A is selected. For anotherexample, the electronic device may check whether a hiding area displaymenu is selected. For another example, the electronic device may checkwhether a gesture mapped onto the hiding area checking event is sensed.

When the hiding area checking event does not occur, the electronicdevice resumes operation 1001 to continue displaying the message.

On the other hand, when the hiding area checking event occurs, theelectronic device displays one or more hiding frames in the hiddenmessage in operation 1005. For example, the electronic device may checkthe location, shape, and size of the hiding frame included in the hiddenmessage based on hiding area information of the hidden message.Thereafter, the electronic device may display the one or more hidingframes 1431 on the message display area 1412 by considering thelocation, shape, and size of the hiding frame included in the hiddenmessage as shown in FIG. 14B.

In operation 1007, the electronic device checks whether a scratch on theone or more hiding frames included in the hidden message is sensed. Forexample, the electronic device may check whether the scratch 1441 on thehiding frame 1431 by the touch pen or user's finger is sensed as shownin FIG. 14C.

When the scratch on the hiding frame is sensed, the electronic devicedisplays a part of the text of the message hidden by the hiding frame onthe display 160 by removing the area where the scratch is sensed fromthe hiding frame in operation 1009. For example, when the scratch 1441on the hiding frame 1431 by the touch pen or user's finger is sensed,the electronic device may display a part of the message text hidden bythe hiding frame on the display 160 by removing display of the hidingframe of the area where the scratch is sensed from the hiding frame asshown in FIG. 14C.

In operation 1011, the electronic device checks whether an unscratchedarea exists in the hiding frame or whether an unscratched hiding frameexists.

When the unscratched area exists in the hiding frame or the unscratchedhiding frame exists, the electronic device resumes operation 1007 tocheck whether the scratch on the one or more hiding frames included inthe hidden message is sensed. In addition, when a storing event occurs,the electronic device may store the hidden message with only a part ofthe hiding frame being removed.

On the other hand, when the unscratched area does not exist in thehiding frame and the unscratched hiding frame does not exist, theelectronic device finishes the present algorithm. That is, theelectronic device may display the entire text of the hidden message onthe display 160 as shown in FIG. 14F.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for checking a hidden message in an electronicdevice according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 11, the electronic device displays a hidden message onthe display 160 in operation 1101. For example, when the electronicdevice receives the hidden message from a counterpart electronic device,the electronic device may display a text of the hidden message on themessage display area 1412 of the message check screen 1400 as shown inFIG. 14A. For another example, when the hidden message is checkedaccording to an input signal provided from the inputter 170, theelectronic device may display the text of the hidden message on themessage display area 1412 of the message check screen 1400 as shown inFIG. 14A. In this case, the electronic device may not display a messagetext of a hiding area that is hidden in the hidden message by a hidingframe on the display 160 as shown in FIG. 14A. In addition, when thehidden message includes the hiding area, the electronic device maydisplay the hiding icon 1414 on a predetermined area of the messagecheck screen 1400.

In operation 1103, the electronic device checks whether a hiding areachecking event occurs. For example, the electronic device may checkwhether the hiding icon 1414 shown in FIG. 14A is selected. For anotherexample, the electronic device may check whether a hiding area displaymenu is selected. For another example, the electronic device may checkwhether a gesture mapped onto the hiding area checking event is sensed.

When the hiding area checking event does not occur, the electronicdevice resumes operation 1101 to continue displaying the message.

On the other hand, when the hiding area checking event occurs, theelectronic device displays one or more hiding frames in the hiddenmessage in operation 1105. For example, the electronic device may checkthe location, shape, and size of the hiding frame included in the hiddenmessage based on hiding area information of the hidden message.Thereafter, the electronic device may display the one or more hidingframes 1431 in the message display area 1412 by considering thelocation, shape, and size of the hiding frame included in the hiddenmessage as shown in FIG. 14B.

In operation 1107, the electronic device checks whether a scratch on theone or more hiding frames included in the hidden message is sensed. Forexample, the electronic device may check whether the scratch 1441 on thehiding frame 1431 by the touch pen or user's finger is sensed as shownin FIG. 14C.

When the scratch on the hiding frame is sensed, the electronic devicedisplays a part of the text of the message hidden by the hiding frame onthe display 160 by removing the area where the scratch is sensed fromthe hiding frame in operation 1109. For example, when the scratch 1441on the hiding frame 1431 by the touch pen or user's finger is sensed,the electronic device may display a part of the message text hidden bythe hiding frame on the display 160 by removing display of the hidingframe of the area where the scratch is sensed from the hiding frame asshown in FIG. 14C.

In operation 1111, the electronic device checks whether a size of anunscratched area in the hiding frame is smaller than a reference size.For example, the electronic device may check whether the size of thearea that is not scratched in the hiding frame 1431 by the scratch 1441on the hiding frame 1431 shown in FIG. 14C is smaller than the referencesize.

When the size of the unscratched area in the hiding frame is larger thanor equal to the reference size, the electronic device resumes operation1107 to check whether the scratch on the one or more hiding framesincluded in the hidden message is sensed. In addition, when a storingevent occurs, the electronic device may store the hidden message withonly a part of the hiding frame being removed.

On the other hand, when the size of the unscratched area in the hidingframe is smaller than the reference size, the electronic device proceedsremoves the corresponding hiding frame and displays the entire text ofthe hidden message on the display 160 in operation 1113. For example,when the area that is not scratched by the scratch 1441 on the hidingframe shown in FIG. 14C is smaller than the reference size, theelectronic device recognizes that the scratch occurs on the entire areaof the hiding frame 1431. Accordingly, the electronic device may displaythe entire text of the hidden message on the display 160 by removing thehiding frame 1431 from the hidden message as shown in FIG. 14F.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for checking a hidden message in an electronicdevice according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 12, the electronic device displays a hidden message onthe display 160 in operation 1201. For example, when the electronicdevice receives the hidden message from a counterpart electronic device,the electronic device may display a text of the hidden message on themessage display area 1412 of the message check screen 1400 as shown inFIG. 14A. For another example, when the hidden message is checkedaccording to an input signal provided from the inputter 170, theelectronic device may display the text of the hidden message on themessage display area 1412 of the message check screen 1400 as shown inFIG. 14A. In this case, the electronic device may not display a messagetext of a hiding area that is hidden in the hidden message by a hidingframe on the display 160 as shown in FIG. 14A. In addition, when thehidden message includes the hiding area, the electronic device maydisplay the hiding icon 1414 on a predetermined area of the messagecheck screen 1400.

In operation 1203, the electronic device checks whether a hiding areachecking event occurs. For example, the electronic device may checkwhether the hiding icon 1414 shown in FIG. 14A is selected. For anotherexample, the electronic device may check whether a hiding area displaymenu is selected. For another example, the electronic device may checkwhether a gesture mapped onto the hiding area checking event is sensed.

When the hiding area checking event does not occur, the electronicdevice resumes operation 1201 to continue displaying the message.

On the other hand, when the hiding area checking event occurs, theelectronic device checks whether the number of times the hiding area ofthe hidden message has been checked is less than a reference number oftimes in operation 1205. When a plurality of hiding frames are includedin the hidden message, the electronic device may check whether there isone or more hiding frames that have been checked a number of times lessthan the reference number of times. The reference number of times is ahiding check option on the one or more hiding frames included in thehidden message and may be set by the counterpart electronic device.

When the number of times that the hiding area of the hidden message hasbeen checked is greater than or equal to the reference number of times,the electronic device may recognize that it is not possible to check thehiding area of the hidden message. Accordingly, the electronic devicedisplays a message indicating that the hiding area cannot be checked onthe display 160 in operation 1215. For example, the electronic devicemay display the message indicating that the hiding information on thehidden message cannot be checked on the display 160 as shown in FIG.14E.

On the other hand, when the number of times the hiding area of thehidden message has been checked is less than the reference number oftimes, the electronic device displays the one or more hiding frames inthe hidden message in operation 1207. For example, the electronic devicemay check the location, shape, and size of the hiding frame included inthe hidden message based on hiding area information of the hiddenmessage. Thereafter, the electronic device may display the one or morehiding frames 1431 in the message display area 1412 by considering thelocation, shape, and size of the hiding frame included in the hiddenmessage as shown in FIG. 14B.

In operation 1209, the electronic device checks whether a scratch on theone or more hiding frames included in the hidden message is sensed. Forexample, the electronic device may check whether the scratch 1441 on thehiding frame 1431 by the touch pen or user's finger is sensed as shownin FIG. 14C.

When the scratch on the hiding frame is sensed, the electronic devicedisplays a part of the text of the message hidden by the hiding frame onthe display 160 by removing the area where the scratch is sensed fromthe hiding frame in operation 1211. For example, when the scratch 1441on the hiding frame 1431 by the touch pen or user's finger is sensed,the electronic device may display a part of the message text hidden bythe hiding frame by removing display of the hiding frame of the areawhere the scratch is sensed from the hiding frame as shown in FIG. 14C.

In this case, the electronic device proceeds to operation 1213 to checkwhether an unscratched area exists in the hiding frame or whether anunscratched hiding frame exists.

When the unscratched area exists in the hiding frame or the unscratchedhiding frame exists, the electronic device checks whether the scratch onthe one or more hiding frames included in the hidden message is sensedin operation 1209. In addition, when a storing event occurs, theelectronic device may store the hidden message with only a part of thehiding frame being removed.

On the other hand, when the unscratched area does not exist in thehiding frame and the unscratched hiding frame does not exist, theelectronic device finishes the present algorithm. That is, theelectronic device may display the entire text of the hidden message onthe display 160 as shown in FIG. 14F.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for checking a hidden message in an electronicdevice according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 13, the electronic device displays a hidden message onthe display 160 in operation 1301. For example, when the electronicdevice receives the hidden message from a counterpart electronic device,the electronic device may display a text of the hidden message on themessage display area 1412 of the message check screen 1400 as shown inFIG. 14A. For another example, when the hidden message is checkedaccording to an input signal provided from the inputter 170, theelectronic device may display the text of the hidden message on themessage display area 1412 of the message check screen 1400 as shown inFIG. 14A. In this case, the electronic device may not display a messagetext of a hiding area that is hidden in the hidden message by a hidingframe on the display 160 as shown in FIG. 14A. In addition, when thehidden message includes the hiding area, the electronic device maydisplay the hiding icon 1414 on a predetermined area of the messagecheck screen 1400.

In operation 1303, the electronic device checks whether a hiding areachecking event occurs. For example, the electronic device may checkwhether the hiding icon 1414 shown in FIG. 14A is selected. For anotherexample, the electronic device may check whether a hiding area displaymenu is selected. For another example, the electronic device may checkwhether a gesture mapped onto the hiding area checking event is sensed.

When the hiding area checking event does not occur, the electronicdevice resumes operation 1301 to continue displaying the message.

On the other hand, when the hiding area checking event occurs, theelectronic device displays a user authentication window on the display160 in operation 1305. For example, the electronic device may display auser authentication window 1451 for receiving input of an authenticationkey from the user on the display 160 as shown in FIG. 14D.

In operation 1307, to the electronic device checks whether the user canbe authenticated based on authentication information received throughthe user authentication window. For example, the electronic device maycheck an authentication key which is set for the hiding frame in thehiding area information of the hidden message. Thereafter, theelectronic device may check whether the user can be authenticated bycomparing the authentication key received from the inputter 170 and theauthentication key set for the hiding frame. For another example, whenthe hiding area information of the hidden message does not include theauthentication key set for the hiding frame, the electronic devicerequests the authentication key from the counterpart electronic devicewhich has transmitted the hidden message. Thereafter, the electronicdevice may check whether the user can be authenticated by comparing theauthentication key provided from the inputter 170 and the authenticationkey provided from the counterpart electronic device.

When the user cannot be authenticated, the electronic device recognizesthat it is not possible to check the hiding area of the hidden message.Accordingly, the electronic device displays a message indicating thatthe hiding area cannot be checked on the display 160 in operation 1317.

On the other hand, when the user can be authenticated, the electronicdevice displays one or more hiding frames in the hidden message inoperation 1309. For example, the electronic device may check thelocation, shape, and size of the hiding frame included in the hiddenmessage based on the hiding area information of the hidden message.Thereafter, the electronic device may display the one or more hidingframes 1431 on the message display area 1412 by considering thelocation, shape, and size of the hiding frame included in the hiddenmessage as shown in FIG. 14B.

The electronic device checks whether a scratch on the one or more hidingframes included in the hidden message is sensed in operation 1311. Forexample, the electronic device may check whether the scratch 1441 on thehiding frame 1431 by the touch pen or user's finger is sensed as shownin FIG. 14C.

When the scratch on the hiding frame is sensed, the electronic devicedisplays a part of the text of the message hidden by the hiding frame onthe display 160 by removing the area where the scratch is sensed fromthe hiding frame in operation 1313. For example, when the scratch 1441on the hiding frame 1431 by the touch pen or user's finger is sensed,the electronic device may display a part of the message text hidden bythe hiding frame on the display 160 by removing display of the hidingframe of the area where the scratch is sensed from the hiding frame asshown in FIG. 14C.

In operation 1315, the electronic device checks whether an unscratchedarea exists in the hiding frame or whether an unscratched hiding frameexists.

When the unscratched area exists in the hiding frame or the unscratchedhiding frame exists, the electronic device resumes checks whether thescratch on the one or more hiding frames included in the hidden messageis sensed in operation 1309. In addition, when a storing event occurs,the electronic device may store the hidden message with only a part ofthe hiding frame being removed.

On the other hand, when the unscratched area does not exist in thehiding frame and the unscratched hiding frame does not exist, theelectronic device finishes the present algorithm. That is, theelectronic device may display the entire text of the hidden message onthe display 160 as shown in FIG. 14F.

As described above, the electronic device transmits the message in whichat least part of the text is hidden to the counterpart electronicdevice, so that the important message cannot be easily exposed to theoutside and counterpart's attention can be focused on the hidden text.

In addition, the electronic device may set an option to check themessage in which at least part of the text is hidden through userauthentication or limit the number of times the message in which atleast part of the text is hidden can be checked, so that security forthe important information included in the message can be enhanced.

It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the presentdisclosure according to the claims and description in the specificationcan be realized in the form of hardware, software or a combination ofhardware and software. Any such software may be stored in anon-transient computer readable storage medium. The non-transientcomputer readable storage medium stores one or more programs (softwaremodules), the one or more programs comprising instructions, which whenexecuted by one or more processors in an electronic device, cause theelectronic device to perform a method of the present disclosure. Anysuch software may be stored in the form of volatile or non-volatilestorage such as, for example, a storage device like a ROM, whethererasable or rewritable, or in the form of memory such as, for example,RAM, memory chips, device or integrated circuits or on an optically ormagnetically readable medium such as, for example, a CD, DVD, magneticdisk or magnetic tape or the like. It will be appreciated that thestorage devices and storage media are various embodiments ofmachine-readable storage that are suitable for storing a program orprograms comprising instructions that, when executed, implement variousembodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, various embodimentsprovide a program comprising code for implementing apparatus or a methodas claimed in any one of the claims of this specification and amachine-readable storage storing such a program.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with referenceto various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method in an electronic device, the methodcomprising: displaying one or more hiding frames in an input messagedisplay area of a display; and transmitting a message includinginformation on the hiding frame.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thedisplaying of the hiding frame comprises, when a touch on the inputmessage display area is sensed, displaying the one or more hiding framesat one or more points where the touch is sensed.
 3. The method of claim1, further comprising displaying the message in the input messagedisplay area before or after the hiding frame is displayed.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the transmitting of the message comprisestransmitting the message and hiding frame information on the one or morehiding frames included in the message to a counterpart electronicdevice, and wherein the hiding frame information comprises one or moreof a location, a shape, and a size of the hiding frame included in themessage.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting a hidingcheck option on the hiding frame after the hiding frame is displayed,wherein the hiding check option comprises one or more of a touchmovement method on the hiding frame, user authentication on the hidingframe, and a number of times the hiding frame can be removed.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising changing one or more of a shape, asize, and a location of the hiding frame by considering touchinformation on the hiding frame after the hiding frame is displayed. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying of the hiding framecomprises displaying the one or more hiding frames on a second displaylayer which exists on an upper layer of a first display layer whichdisplays the message on the input message display area.
 8. A method inan electronic device, the method comprising: checking whether a messageto be displayed on a display comprises one or more hiding areas; andwhen the message comprises the one or more hiding areas, displaying onthe display a message text except for a message text that is included inthe one or more hiding areas.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein thechecking of whether the message comprises the one or more hiding areascomprises checking whether the message comprises one or more hidingareas using hiding frame information on the message.
 10. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising: displaying a hiding frame in each hidingarea; checking a hiding check option on each hiding frame; and when aninput signal corresponding to the hiding check option of each hidingframe is received, displaying a message text of a corresponding hidingframe area, wherein the hiding check option comprises one or more of atouch movement method on the hiding frame, user authentication on thehiding frame, and a number of times that the hiding frame can beremoved.
 11. An electronic device comprising: a display; and at leastone processor, wherein the processor is configured to control to displayone or more hiding frames in an input message display area of thedisplay, and to transmit a message including information on the hidingframe.
 12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein, when a touch onthe input message display area is sensed, the processor controls todisplay the one or more hiding frames at one or more points where thetouch is sensed.
 13. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein theprocessor controls to display an input message in the input messagedisplay area before or after the hiding frame is displayed.
 14. Theelectronic device of claim 11, wherein the processor controls totransmit the message and hiding frame information on the one or morehiding frames included in the message to a counterpart electronicdevice, and wherein the hiding frame information comprises one or moreof a location, a shape, and a size of the hiding frame included in themessage.
 15. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the processorsets a hiding check option on the hiding frame, and wherein the hidingcheck option comprises one or more of a touch movement method on thehiding frame, user authentication on the hiding frame, and a number oftimes the hiding frame can be removed.
 16. The electronic device ofclaim 11, wherein the processor changes one or more of a shape, a size,and a location of the hiding frame displayed on the input messagedisplay area by considering touch information on the hiding frame. 17.The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the display displays the oneor more hiding frames on a first display layer which displays themessage on the input message display area and a second display layerwhich exists on an upper layer of the first display layer.
 18. Anelectronic device comprising: a display; and at least one processor,wherein, when a message to be displayed on the display comprises one ormore hiding areas, the processor is configured to control to display onthe display a message text except for a message text that is included inthe one or more hiding areas.
 19. The electronic device of claim 18,wherein the processor checks whether the message comprises one or morehiding areas using hiding frame information on the message.
 20. Theelectronic device of claim 18, wherein the processor controls to displaya hiding frame in each hiding area, to check a hiding check option oneach hiding frame, and, to display a message text of a correspondinghiding frame area when an input signal corresponding to the hiding checkoption of each hiding frame is received, and wherein the hiding checkoption comprises one or more of a touch movement method on the hidingframe, user authentication on the hiding frame, and a number of timesthat the hiding frame can be removed.